Method and apparatus for forming and processing linear bodies of heat-softenable material



3,149,944 FORMING AND PROCESSING LINEAR Sept. 22, 1964 H. E. LEAMANMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BODIES 0F HEAT-SOFTENABLE MATERIAL Filed Feb.8, 1961 nvmvron HAROLD E. LEAMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent5,149,944 METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AND PROCESSING ILWEAR EGDHESOF HEAT-SOFTENAELE MATERIAL Harold E. Learnan, Newark, Ohio, assignor toOwens- Corning Fiberglass Corporation, a corporation of Delaware FittedFeb. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 87,813 13 Claims. (Cl. 65-4) This inventionrelates to novel method of and apparatus for forming and processingheat-softened attenuable material into linear bodies, fibers orfilaments, and more especially to a method of and apparatus forattenuating heat-softened mineral material into linear bodies, fibers orfilaments and concomitantly collecting the same in the form of a twistedsliver, yarn or filamentous product.

Various methods have been employed in forming filamentous products suchas slivers, threads or yarn from organic fibers or filaments and fromsynthetic resinous materials but difficulties have been encountered incollecting linear bodies, fibers or filaments of heat-softenable mineralmaterials such as glass formed or attenuated through the employment ofcentrifugal means.

The invention embraces the provision of a method of collectingattenuated linear bodies, fibers or filaments directly from the formingor attenuating region into a twisted sliver, yarn or filamentousproduct.

An object of the invention is the provision of a method of influencinglinear bodies, fibers or filaments of heatsoftened material deliveredfrom a rotating surface to converge the linear bodies, fibers orfilaments into a unitary twisted bundle, yarn or filamentous product.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of delivering bodiesof heat-softened mineral material from a rotating chamber andattenuating the bodies to form the same into fine fibers or filamentsand establish ing a zone of reduced pressure in the chamber to influenceor bias the fibers or filaments into converging relation to form afilamentous product, in the formation of which a twist is imparted tothe fibers or filaments as they are oriented into the filamentousproduct.

Another object of the invention resides in an apparatus inclusive of ahollow rotor having an orificed peripheral region through whichheat-softened fiber forming material is delivered by centrifugal forcesof rotation of the rotor to form elongated or linear bodies, the rotorbeing associated with a convergently arranged surface rotatabletherewith provided with an open area in combination with means arrangedto establish a reduced pressure within the rotor and adjacent the openarea to effect a convergence of the linear bodies at the region ofreduced pressure.

Another object of the invention resides in an apparatus inclusive of ahollow rotor having a peripheral wall region provided with orificesthrough which heat-softenable material delivered into the rotor isdischarged in a plurality of linear bodies or primary filaments, theapparatus including means for engaging the linear bodies with anattenuating blast effective to attenuate the bodies to fine fibers orfilaments and converging the fibers or filaments toward the axis ofrotation of the rotor under the influence of reduced pressure within andadjacent a perforated wall region of the rotor to compact the fibers orfilaments as they are converged and formed into a twisted 'ice linearbundle of fibers or filaments suitable for textile uses.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a hollowrotor structure having a circular cylindrical wall region provided withorifices through which heatsoftened mineral material delivered into therotor is discharged in the form of linear bodies from the orifices bycentrifugal forces, the rotor being equipped with a hollow cone-shapedelement provided with a perforate wall region in combination withtubular means interiorly of the rotor connected with a source of suctionor reduced pressure whereby to establish a differential pressure zone atthe perforated region of the rotor to converge the bodies of material tofoster their formation into a linear bundle.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view illustrating a form of apparatus of theinvention for carrying out the method, and

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line22 of FIGURE 1.

While the apparatus of the invention has been illustrated asparticularly usable in forming, processing and collecting fibers,filaments or linear bodies of mineral materials such as glass, it is tobe understood that the method and apparatus may be employed for formingand collecting fibers of other heat-softena-ble materials.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGURES l and 2 illustrate a formof apparatus of the invention for carrying out or performing the stepsof the method. In the arrangement illustrated, the heat-softened,fiber-forming material is discharged outwardly through orifices in arotating surface to form elongated linear bodies which are attenuated bythe centrifugal forces and the drag of the ambient air on the bodies andwhich may be further attenuated by an attenuating blast.

A stream 12 of heat-softened material, such as molten glass is flowedfrom'a supply contained in a feeder or forehearth 14 as illustrated inFIGURE 1. Disposed beneath the feeder 14 is a rotating surface or hollowrotor 16 fashioned with or connected to a quill or hollow sleeve 18which is journally supported in anti-friction or ball bearings 20carried by a suitable support. The quill 13 and the rotor 16 are adaptedto be rotated in a conventional manner by an electrically energizablemotor or other suitable motive means (not shown).

The rotor or rotating surface is fashioned with a circular cylindricalperipheral wall portion 22 provided with a comparatively large number ofsmall orifices, openings or outlets 24 through which the heat-softenedor molten glass within the hollow rotor is discharged in the form oflinear bodies or primary filaments 26 moving outwardly and beingattenuated under the influence of centrifugal forces of rotation of therotor or rotating surface.

The sleeve or quill portion 18 of the rotor is connected with thecircular cylindrical wall portion 22 by an annular portion or ledge 28.While the annular portion 28 is illustrated as being integral with thequill 18, it is to be understood that the quill 18 may be an independentcomponent and the portion 28 secured to the quill by suitable means.Means is provided for distributing or dispersing the glass of the stream12 within the hollow rotor to project or direct the heat-softened ormolten glass onto the inner surface of the circular cylindrical orificedwall portion 22.

In the embodiment illustrated, a tube 30 extends downwardly through thehollow quill or sleeve 18 and is provided with a nozzle or orificeconstruction 32. The tube 30 is adapted to be connected to a supply ofcompressed air or other gas under pressure and a jet of the air or gasunder pressure delivered from the orifice 32 against the glass of thestream 12 whereby the glass is diverted and conveyed by the air or gasstream into engagement with the interior surface of the circularcylindrical wall 22 of the rotor to provide a film 27 of the moltenglass on the wall.

The nozzle 32 may be disposed at the most advantageous position toattain eflicient delivery and distribution of the glass onto theinterior surface of the rotor wall providing a continuous quantity ofmolten glass adjacent the orifices 24 for the formation of the elongatedbodies or filaments 26. While an air jet is illustrated as a means forprojecting, conveying and distributing the glass of the stream 12 towardthe rotor wall, other suitable conventional means may be employed forthe purpose.

Surrounding the quill or sleeve 18 is a means for directing a highvelocity gaseous blast of annularly-shaped cross-section which isadapted or arranged to engage and further attentuate the bodies orprimary filaments 26 into fine fibers of discontinuous character wherefibers or filaments of this character are desired for producing afilamentous product or yarn of staple fibers or filaments.

The annular gaseous blast may comprise intensely hot products ofcombustion moving at high velocities sufficient for attenuatingpurposes, or the attenuating blast may be steam, compressed air or othergas moving at high velocities to attenuate or draw the elongated bodiesto infinitely small diameters.

In the embodiment illustrated, the blast producing means is inclusive ofa housing 36 of annular shape defining an annularly shaped chamber 38 inwhich a combustible mixture such as fuel gas and air is ignited andsubstantially completely burned within the chamber 38. The bottom wallor floor 40 of the chamber 38 is provided with a generally annularlyshaped restricted orifice or passage 42. The annularly shaped orifice 42is disposed with respect to the rotor whereby the burned gases in thechamber 38 are projected along and adjacent the rotor wall 22 intoengagement with the outwardly moving elongated bodies or primaryfilaments 26.

The velocity of the gases of the blast abruptly divert the bodies 26downwardly and the material of the bodies attenuated by the velocity ofthe gases of the blast into fine discrete fibers or filaments. Disposedabove the housing 36 and surrounding the quill or sleeve 18 is a walledmember 46 defining an annularly shaped manifold 48. The manifold isprovided with a hollow boss portion 50 into which extends a tube 52, thelatter arranged to be connected with a supply of fuel and air mixturewhich is conveyed by the tube into the manifold 48.

Arranged between the members 36 and 46 is an annu-' larly shaped region54 in which is disposed a member 56 having a plurality of comparativelysmall channels or passages establishing communication between themanifold 48 and the chamber 38 and through which the combustible mixtureis conveyed under comparatively low pressure into the chamber 38. Thegases are ignited and are burned within the chamber 38 and the member 56fashioned with the small channels provides a fine screen to preventignition of the mixture in the manifold 48.

Where the blast, projected through the orifice 42, is of intensely hotburned gases, the combustible mixture ded livered through the tube 52into the manifold 48 is under comparatively low pressure ofapproximately 5 pounds per square inch. The mixture, burning within thechamber or confined zone 38 effects great expansion of the burning gasesso that the gases of combustion projected through the annular orifice 42are moving at substantial velocities sufficient to further attenuate theelongated bodies 26 to fibers, filaments or linear bodies of smalldiameters.

Where steam or compressed air is employed as an attenuating blast forforming fine fibers or filaments, steam under comparatively highpressure or compressed air may be directly introduced into the chamber38 through a tube (not shown) connected with the housing 36. Through theuse of a blast of annular character where further attenuation of theelongated bodies is desired, the blast attenuated bodies or fibers 60normally move downwardly in directions substantially parallel with theaxis of rotation of the rotor 16 in the form of a substantially hollowbeam or hollow cylinder of fibers.

A salient feature of the invention resides in a method of and means forforming a filamentous product by converging the attenuated linearbodies, fibers or filaments into a continuous twisted sliver or linearbundle. In the method utilized in forming blast attenuated fibers, theattenuating operation inherently fosters a natural orientation of thefibers or linear bodies in the hollow beam whereby they are generally inparallelism. The fibers or linear bodies of the beam may be converged toform a continuous twisted sliver or linear bundle without materialmodification or impairment of the parallel orientation in the beam.

The arrangement of the invention embodies means for converging thefibers or linear bodies into a linear bundle or filamentous product. Therotor construction 16 is provided with an axially arranged dependingcone-shaped member or portion 62 which is joined with the rotor Wall 22by an annularly shaped ledge 64. In the embodiment illustrated thecone-shaped member or portion 62 is integrally formed with theconnecting ledge 64 but it is to be understood that the cone portion 62may be an independent component secured to the rotor 16 by suitableconventional securing means.

The cone-shaped member 62 terminates in an apex 66 which is preferablyon the axis of rotation of the rotor. The lower region of the cone 62and preferably a distance of from one-third to one-half the length ofthe cone upward from the apex 66 is fashioned with an open area which,in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a plurality of openings orperforations 68.

The perforations 68 are preferably arranged circumferentially andlengthwise of the cone in a symmetrical pattern so that the zones ofopen areas are arranged uniformly peripherally of the cone.

Extending downwardly through the quill or sleeve 18 and through theorificed wall region 22 providing the rotor 16 and terminating adjacentthe open area 68 of the cone is a tube or tubular means 70 adapted to beconnected with a suction blower (not shown) or other means forestablishing reduced pressure in the tube 78. The tube 78 is of across-sectional area to admit a substantial volume of air per unit oftime to be drawn upwardly through the tube from the perforated region oropen area 68 of the cone 62.

Through the provision of reduced pressure interiorly of the rotorconstruction, air exteriorly of the rotor is drawn through the open area68 and upwardly through the tube 70. The flow or movement of air intothe interior of the cone biases or draws the attenuated bodies, fibersor filaments toward the apex region of the cone as shown in FIGURE 1.Disposed beneath the apex 66 of the cone and preferably in alignmentwith the axis of the rotor is a compacting device 72 of conventionalcharacter wherein a bushing or member 74 journaled in a cD housing 75 isrotated by compressed air or other means admitted to the casing 75through a tube 76.

The compressed air is impinged against turbine blades (not shown) formedon the rotatable member 74 within the housing 75. The fibers, filamentsor attenuated linear bodies 60 are drawn from the apex of the cone toform a twisted sliver, yarn or filamentous product 78. A pull roll 80mounted upon a shaft 32 is rotated by a motor (not shown) or othersuitable means in the direction of the arrow, viz., in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 to exert a pullingaction on the product 78.

The filamentous product may be collected upon a roll or spool 84 mountedupon a shaft 86 which is rotated by suitable conventional means toeffect collection of the product. Where the linear bodies are attenuatedas staple fibers or fibers of various lengths, they are entrained in thedownwardly moving blast and, under the influence of the suction orreduced pressure differential at the open area or perforated zone 68 ofthe cone 62, are biased toward the end region of the cone and areoriented in generally parallel relation with the innermost fibersengaging the exterior surface of the cone.

The pulling wheel 80 exerts draft or tension on the filamentous product78 and continuous twist is imparted to the product under the influenceof the rotation of the cone 62. The compactor 72 serves to fold in anyloose fibers so as to form a smooth production.

In instances where the elongated bodies of glass or other heat-softenedmaterial projected through the rotor orifices 24 are attenuated to finecontinuous filaments under the influence of centrifugal forces ofrotation of the rotor and the frictional drag of the air on theelongated bodies or filaments, such continuous filaments move outwardlyand downwardly away from the orificed region of the rotor and, at ashort distance therefrom, are biased or drawn toward the perforated oropen area region 68 of the rotating cone 62.

Such continuous filaments or linear bodies are drawn off of the apexregion 66 of the cone 62 by means such as the pull wheel 80, forming afilamentous product comprising a twisted multi-filament sliver, strandor yarn of continuous filaments or linear bodies.

As the linear bodies, filaments or fibers are formed from streams ofheat-softenable material projected through orifices arranged throughoutthe entire circular periphery of the rotor wall 22, the linear bodies,fibers or filaments are uniformly distributed peripherally of the cone62 which condition fosters the formation of the textile product 78having a comparatively smooth exterior surface and endowed with asubstantially uniform twist.

In the formation of continuous linear bodies or filaments the combustionburner 36 may be utilized to provide hot gases of combustion from thechamber 38 moving through the annular orifice 42 at a very low velocityfor the purpose of establishing a heated environment in the region ofthe centrifugally projected bodies or filaments of a temperature abovethe softening temperature of the glass or other mineral material tomaintain the projected bodies adjacent the rotor in a softened conditionto enhance their attenuation to fine continuous filaments under theinfluence of centrifugal forces and the frictional drag of the ambientair.

Under such conditions of operation, the low velocity intensely hot gasstream from the orifice 42 assists in deflecting or diverting thecontinuous linear bodies or filaments downwardly along the cone 62. Theeffectiveness or degree of reduced or differential pressure set upinteriorly of the perforated or open area region 68 of the cone 62 maybe varied by employing an air suction tube of different diameter or bymodifying the position of the inlet region of the suction tube 7t)lengthwise of the cone portion of the rotor and relative to the openarea 68. If desired, the entrance region of the tube 70 may be flaredoutwardly to vary the effectiveness of reduced pressure interiorly ofthe apex region of the cone.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. The method of forming and processing linear bodies of heat-softenablematerial including delivering heat-softened material onto an orificedsurface, rotating the surface at a speed to project the materialoutwardly through the orifices by centrifugal forces to form linearbodies, establishing subatmospheric pressure by suction effective in aregion of the axis of rotation of the surface spaced from the orificesto influence the linear bodies to converge toward the axis of rotation,and twisting the converged linear bodies into a linear bundle.

2. The method of forming and processing filamentous bodies ofheat-softenable material including delivering heat-softened materialonto an orificed surface, rotating the surface at a speed to project thematerial outwardly through the orifices by centrifugal forces to formfilamentous bodies, establishing reduced pressure air in a region of theaxis of rotation of the surface spaced from the orifices by withdrawingair from said region to influence movement of the filamentous bodiestoward the axis of rotation, converging the filamentous bodies into alinear bundle at the axis of rotation, twisting the linear bundle ofbodies, and moving the twisted linear bundle away from the zone ofconvergence of the bodies.

3. The method of forming and processing filamentous bodies ofheat-softenable material including delivering heat-softened materialonto an orificed surface, rotating the surface at a speed to project thematerial outwardly through the orifices by centrifugal forces to formfilamentous bodies, engaging the outwardly moving bodies by a gaseousblast to attenuate the bodies to fibers, continuously withdrawing airfrom a region of the axis of rotation of the surface spaced from theorifices to influ-- ence the attenuated fibers to converge toward theaxis of rotation, and twisting the converged attenuated bodies into alinear bundle of fibers at the axis of rotation.

4. The method of forming and processing filamentous bodies ofheat-softenable material including delivering heat-softened materialonto an orificed surface, rotating the surface at a speed to project thematerial outwardly through the orifices by centrifugal forces to formfilamentous bodies, directing hot gases into the region of the outwardlymoving bodies to establish a heated environment for the bodies,continuously withdrawing air from a region of the axis of rotation ofthe surface spaced from the orifices to influence the filamentous bodiesto converge toward the axis of rotation, and twisting the convergedfilamentous bodies into a linear bundle.

5. The method of forming and processing linear bodies of heat-softenablematerial including delivering heat-softened material onto an orificedchamber, rotating the chamber at a speed to project the materialoutwardly through the orifices by centrifugal forces to form linearbodies, engaging the bodies with a high velocity gaseous blast movingnormal to the paths of the outwardly moving bodies from the orifices toattenuate the bodies to fibers, continuously withdrawing air from theinterior of the chamber at a zone spaced from the orifices to influencethe attenuated fibers to move toward the axis of rotation and out of thegases of the blast, converging the attenuated fibers into a linearbundle, twisting the linear bundle, and collecting the twisted linearbundle.

6. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor journaled on said support, means for rotating the rotor,said rotor having a cylindrical peripheral wall formed with a pluralityof orifices and equipped with a hollow cone-shaped element provided withan open area adjacent the apex region thereof,

aaaaeaa means for delivering heat-softened material to the interiorsurface of the cylindrical wall whereby the material is dischargedthrough the orifices by centrifugal forces of rotation of the rotor inelongated bodies, tubular means extending into the cone-shaped elementarranged to be connected with a source of reduced pressure tocontinuously establish a zone of reduced pressure within the cone-shapedelement at the region of the open area whereby the elongated bodies ofmaterial are influenced to engage the cone-shaped element, and meansarranged to engage and withdraw the bodies from the cone-shaped element.

7. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor structure journaled on said support, means for rotating therotor, said rotor having a circular cylindrical wall formed with aplurality of orifices, said rotor structure having an axially arrangedhollow cone-shaped extension provided with an open area spaced from thecircular cylindrical wall, means for delivering heat-softened materialto the interior surface of the cylindrical wall whereby the material isdischarged through the orifices by centrifugal forces of rotation of therotor in elongated bodies, tubular means extending into the hollowextension arranged to be connected with a source of reduced pressure toestablish a zone of reduced pressure within the hollow extension at theopen area thereof whereby the bodies of material are engaged with theextension, and means arranged to draw off the bodies axially from theextension.

8. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor structure journaled on said support, means for rotating therotor, said rotor structure having a circular cylindrical wall formedwith a plurality of orifices and provided with a cone-shaped elementprovided with a perforated area adjacent the apex region thereof, meansfor delivering heat-softened fiberforming material to the interiorsurface of the cylindrical wall whereby the material is dischargedthrough the orifices by centrifugal forces of rotation of the rotor inelongated bodies, tubular means extending into the cone-,

shaped element arranged to be connected with a source of reducedpressure to establish a zone of reduced pressure within the perforatedarea of the element whereby to engage the bodies of material with theelement, and means arranged to draw off the bodies from the apex of thecone-shaped element as a twisted linear bundle.

9. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor journaled on said support arranged to be rotated, a hollowcone rotatable with the rotor, said rotor having a circular wallprovided with a plurality of orifices, means for deliveringheat-softened material into the interior of the rotor, means in therotor directing the material to the circular wall, said rotor adapted torotate at a speed to etfect outward delivery of the material bycentrifugal forces in a plurality of streams, means for directing anannularly-shaped gaseous blast into engagement with the material of thestreams to attenuate the material to filamentous bodies, said cone beingformed with a perforated open area adjacent the apex region thereof,tubular means arranged to be connected with a source of reduced pressureto effect a reduction in pressure interiorly of the cone at theperforated open area for diverting the filamentous bodies intoengagement with the cone whereby the bodies are influenced to rotatewith the cone and converged to form a twisted linear bundle of theattenuated bodies, and means for continuously withdrawing the twistedbundle from the cone.

10. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor structure journaled on the support, said rotor structurehaving a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of orifices, meansfor delivering heat-softened material into the rotor structure, meansfor directing the material in the rotor toward the wall provided withthe orifices, said rotor being provided with a hollow walledconically-shaped extension having an open area at a region spaced fromthe orifices in the peripheral wall said rotor being adapted to berotated at a speed sufficient to project the material through theorifices by centrifugal forces to form a plurality of filamentousbodies, tubular means extending into the rotor arranged to be connectedwith a source of suction for establishing a region of reduced pressureat the zone of open area in the extension for influencing thefilamentous bodies to engage the hollow walled extension and convergethe bodies toward the axis of the rotor whereby the bodies are assembledand twisted into a linear bundle at the axis of rotation of the rotor,and means for continuously withdrawing the linear bundle away from therotor structure. 11. Apparatus of the character disclosed, incombination, a support, a hollow rotor structure journaled on thesupport, said rotor structure having a circular wall provided with aplurality of orifices, means for delivering heat-softened material intothe rotor structure, means for directing the material in the rotortoward the wall provided with the orifices, said rotor being providedwith a hollow walled extension having a cone-shaped perforated areaspaced from the orifices in the circular Wall, said rotor being adaptedto be rotated at a speed sufficient to project the material through theorifices as a plurality of filamentous bodies, tubular means extendinginto the rotor and arranged to be connected with a source of suction forestablishing a region of reduced pressure at the cone-shaped perforatedarea of the extension for influencing the filamentous bodies to convergetoward the axis of the rotor whereby the bodies are assembled andtwisted into a linear bundle adjacent the apex of the cone-shaped areaon the axis of rotation of the rotor.

12. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor structure journaled on said support, said rotor structureincluding a peripheral wall and an axially arranged cone, the peripheralwall being provided with a plurality of orifices, the apex region of thecone being provided with perforations, means for deliveringheat-softened fiber forrning mineral material to the interior of therotor, means for directing the material in the rotor toward the interiorsurface of the cylindrical wall whereby the material is dischargedthrough the orifices by centrifugal rotation of the rotor to formelongated bodies, means for establishing an annularly shaped gaseousblast arranged to project the gases of the blast generally axially ofthe rotor and adjacent the peripheral wall, the gases of the blastadapted to engage the elongated bodies and attenuate the same todiscontinuous fibers, tubular means extending into the rotor structureadapted to be connected with a source of suction, said tubular meanshaving an entrance adjacent the perforated region of the cone toestablish a zone of reduced pressure within the cone for influencing theattenuated fibers for movement toward and into engagement with the conewhereby the fibers tend to rotate with the cone as the fibers areconverged at the apex region of the cone, the rotation of the coneeffecting a twisting of the attenuated fibers into a linear bundle, andmeans for withdrawing the twisted linear bundle of fibers away from theapex region of the cone.

13. Apparatus of the character disclosed, in combination, a support, ahollow rotor structure journaled on said support, said rotor structureincluding a peripheral wall and an axially arranged cone, the peripheralwall being provided with a plurality of orifices, the apex region of thecone being provided with perforations, means for deliveringheat-softened material to the interior of the rotor, means for directingthe material in the rotor toward the interior surface of the peripheralwall whereby the material is discharged through the orifices bycentrifugal rotation of the rotor to form elongated filamentous bodies,

means for directing intensely hot gases in an annular re gionsurrounding the rotor to provide a heated environment for thefilamentous bodies, tubular means extending into the rotor structureadapted to be connected with a source of suction for establishing a zoneof reduced pressure within the cone effective through the perforationsfor influencing the filamentous bodies to converge into engagement withthe cone whereby the bodies tend to rotate with the cone, the rotationof the cone effecting a collection of the filamentous bodies into atwisted linear bundle, and means for withdrawing the twisted bundle awayfrom the cone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS ThomasMar. 12, Peyches Feb. 14, Snow Dec. 26,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Feb. 2, Switzerland May 16, Germany Dec. 18,Germany Apr. 10, France Oct. 11,

1. THE METHOD OF FORMING AND PROCESSING LINEAR BODIES OF HEAT-SOFTENABLEMATERIAL INCLUDING DELIVERING HEAT-SOFT ENED MATERIAL ONTO AN ORIFICEDSURFACE, ROTATING THE SURFACE AT A SPEED TO PROJECT THE MATERIALOUTWARDLY THROUGH THE ORIFICES BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCES TO FORM LINEARBODIES, ESTABLISHING SUBATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE BY SUCTION EFFECTIVE IN AREGION OF THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE SURFACE SPACED FROM THE ORIFICESTO INFLUCE THE LINEAR BODIES TO CONVERGE TOWARD THE AXIS OF ROTATION,AND TWISTING THE CONVERGED LINEAR BODIES INTO A LINEAR BUNDLE.